Volkswacht Bodensee - News from Lake Constance, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Europe and the whole world

The Artemis II astronauts were preparing Friday for a high-stakes re-entry and splashdown, the final and perhaps most risky step of their historic 10-day journey around the Moon.

As the Orion spacecraft hurtles home, friction caused by re-entry into Earth's atmosphere will drastically decrease its speed from a potential 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 kilometers per hour).

Thousands of Michael Jackson fans descended on Berlin on Friday for the premiere of a new biopic about the "King of Pop", undeterred by child sex abuse allegations that continue to haunt the star.

Iran demanded a truce in Lebanon and the release of its blocked assets on Friday as US Vice President JD Vance warned Tehran not to "play" Washington, casting doubt on planned ceasefire talks in Pakistan.

President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has "no cards" in upcoming talks with the United States -- apart from Tehran's effective stranglehold on the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping channel.

An Israeli strike, one of multiple on the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh on Friday, killed 13 State Security personnel, the agency said, as Lebanon prepared to start ceasefire talks with Israel.

Rising Irish star Conor Stone-Walsh warmed up for his first ride in the Grand National with victory over the fences on Friday, guiding home Will The Wise in the Topham Chase.

More than 100,000 Muslim worshippers performed Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem, the holy site's Islamic authority reported, after it reopened the previous day following a truce agreed between the United States and Iran.

Teenage French starlet Paul Seixas sprinted to stage five victory at the Tour of the Basque country on Friday, edging out Florian Lipowitz to extend his significant overall lead.

Even as Gulf tanker traffic slowly resumes, the road back to normal food production will be long and arduous, given the war's impact on fertiliser supplies, the UN has warned.

Roberto De Zerbi called on Tottenham to embrace their attacking "DNA" in their relegation battle as he prepares to take charge of the team for the first time against Sunderland on Sunday.

Inflation in the United States rose sharply in March, government data showed Wednesday, as higher energy prices due to the war in the Middle East hit Americans hard.

Soaring fuel prices are driving up costs for Thais travelling home for the holidays, but the chance to spend the new year with loved ones is a price worth paying, they say.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and England's Justin Rose scrambled not to lose ground on co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns early in Friday's second round of the Masters.

For decades, the United States has cast itself as the guarantor of stability in the Middle East, allying militarily with Gulf Arab states as well as Israel and brushing aside global rival China's aspirations for a greater role.

Jannik Sinner brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday to set up a Monte Carlo Masters semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Inter Milan will be without captain and top scorer Lautaro Martinez for Sunday's Serie A match against Como, the Italian league leaders said.

Ukrainians on Friday were wary of Russia's pledge to pause fighting for an Orthodox Easter ceasefire -- first proposed by Kyiv -- this weekend.

Mikel Arteta challenged Arsenal to pile pressure on Manchester City by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League before their title rivals play 24 hours later.

Thousands of US homeland security employees are facing growing uncertainty over their pay after being told Friday's check could be their last until a record-long partial government shutdown is ended.

Crowds of flag-waving Hungarians have been cheering on their candidates for an election on Sunday, as Prime Minister Viktor Orban and challenger Peter Magyar hold frantic last-minute rallies.

A Swedish man suspected of exploiting his "vulnerable" wife to have sex with scores of men for payment, went on trial on Friday for aggravated pimping, rape and assault.

Inflation in the United States rose sharply in March, government data showed Wednesday, as higher energy prices due to the war in the Middle East hit Americans hard.

US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Friday against trying to "play" Washington, as he set off for talks in Islamabad aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said that Enzo Fernandez remains dropped for Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City despite apologising for comments that cast doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge.

Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has extended his deal by four years until 2031, the club announced Friday.

Roberto De Zerbi vowed to save troubled Tottenham from the humiliation of Premier League relegation as the Italian prepares for his first game in charge against Sunderland on Sunday.

Belgium's Antwerp port said Friday that it had reopened to North Sea shipping after an oil spill brought traffic to a near-halt in Europe's second-largest port.

Stock markets were mixed and oil prices were steady Friday with investors cautiously optimistic about the US-Iran ceasefire holding, and as a US inflation report was not as bad as feared.

Jannik Sinner brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday to set up a Monte Carlo Masters semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first meeting Friday, a private audience at the Vatican where discussions ranged from the Iran war to basketball.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said on Friday that Enzo Fernandez had apologised after he "crossed a line" with comments that cast doubt on his future at Stamford Bridge.